Perry Bergson is an extremely hard working Brandon Sun sports writer who has been doing an outstanding job covering the Brandon Wheat Kings for the past five seasons. He started at the Brandon Sun in 1989, spent three years in Prince Albert, before returning to the Sun in 2005. Perry has a University degree from the Brandon University and a College diploma at Holland College in Charlottetown, P.E.I. In addition to working at the Brandon Sun, he has also worked at the Dauphin Herald and Prince Albert Daily Herald. 1. We understand you appreciate a good cup of coffee, who makes Brandon's best cup: I'll tell anyone who listens that my favourite coffee spot is the one in front of me. When I need coffee badly, the gas station cup is as good as the high-end one from a dedicated coffee shop. Also, since I have Icelandic heritage, I'll happily drink three-day-old coffee as long as it hasn't turned green. 2. What former/current Wheat King would one day make a great journalist: Great question. Jonny Lambos off the current team and Duncan Campbell in the past. 3. Buffalo wings or loaded nachos: Loaded nachos every time. 4. What is a typical day at work like when the Wheat Kings have a home game: I get to work around 3, do what I can to help the department and get to the rink around 6. I spend some time in the scouts room, chat with the visiting broadcaster (who I sit beside) and do my final game prep. Since our deadlines are tight, I have my game story 90 per cent done at the final horn and run down for my interviews. I'm generally leaving the Keystone about an hour after the game is over. 5. Outside of covering hockey, what other sport do you enjoy covering most for the Brandon Sun: I love baseball and rugby is growing on me because of its community. 6. Three most commonly used apps on your phone: VoiceRecord, Twitter and Gmail. 7. When you are not at the office/rink, what do you do to unwind and relax: My bikes are old but they like to get ridden. My dog and I enjoy her walk every afternoon. I also watch a lot of really old films with my wife. 8. How have things changed since you started working in this industry: When I started, we were pre-Internet working on pretty rudimentary computers. Now a world of information lies out there that I can access from my Mac, which is the industry standard. 9. Three movies everyone should have in their movie library: Sunset Boulevard, The African Queen, Casablanca. (Citizen Kane, The Seventh Seal, High Noon, Being There, My Dinner With Andre, Goodbye Mr. Chips and A Fish Called Wanda are in the discussion. Is that cheating?) 10. Dream dinner party guest (4): (ALIVE) Podcaster Dan Carlin, musician John Hiatt, journalist Christiane Amanpour and comedian Jim Jefferies.  (DEAD) Actor Katharine Hepburn, writer W. Somerset Maugham, musician Tom Petty and journalist Mike Wallace. (Not counting family members.) 11.  Should the WHL not operate this season, will you be providing up to date coverage of the local Wendy’s Winter Hockey League:  Haha. Nice try. 12. Most underestimated Brandon Sun staffer: My Prince Albert compatriot Tyler Clarke. 13.  Did the Wheat Kings sale surprise you: No, there had been rumours, but I guess it's still a bit of a shock when it happens. Kelly McCrimmon was synonymous with the team for three decades. 14. Would you compare yourself to Bill Ranford when you played in goal: I actually remember Bill being in Portage, and when I interviewed him, we talked about his time there. Other than both of us being emotional guys in net, one of us was real good and the other became a hockey writer. We both ended up exactly where we belonged. 15. Favorite food stop when on the road with the Wheat Kings: There's a story here. When I was in Kent, Wash., with the team in the 2016 final against the Seattle Thunderbirds, I was on a tight food budget. Every afternoon, I walked several blocks to Olive Garden because I knew I could gorge myself on pasta, salad and breadsticks. I don't know if I've been to an Olive Garden since but it was a lifesaver that week. 16. Sammy Hagar or David Lee Roth: Sammy Hagar, just because of a solo song he released in 1997 called Amnesty Is Granted. 17. If you have a pair of 8’s and the dealer has a 9 in blackjack what do you do: I'm a chicken. Fold. 18. Favorite three streaming programs: This will firmly establish me as someone who sits and yells at kids to get off my lawn, but I've never watched a minute of a streamed show. South Park is my current favourite TV show, and Six Feet Under is my old favourite. 19. Who inspires you: My parents are great people who always work hard and value the concept of giving back. They've made a lifelong volunteer of me, and instilled a strong work ethic. 20. Have you made someone cry: It happens in interviews occasionally when you're discussing emotional topics. It's never easy because people people are sharing their most intimate thoughts.

Five years ago the town of Virden was a buzz with the big Hollywood movie production of A Dog’s Purpose. The movie starred Dennis Quaid and was a big box office hit, grossing over $64 million in North America alone. For this week’s road trip feature we’re going to travel to Virden and re-visit a few of the locations that were the setting for this famous film. Virden Manitoba is just 45 minutes west of Brandon on the Trans Canada highway. The town itself is south of the highway and the CPR rail tracks run right thru it. The movie was filmed on 7th Avenue at Nelson Street. While some of the storefronts were outfitted with movie props and neon signs, you can absolutely recognize the buildings in the movie. Whether it’s the front alcove of Shari Lyn Fashions, or the bright blue frame of Pitter Patter, the buildings they will catch your eye in the movie. (Visit YouTube for this behind the scenes glimpse into the movie making. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t2jrU_I6TGE It seems clear that Virden was chosen as a filming location to stand in for a 1950s era town for its outstanding preservation and collection of historic buildings. You don’t have to walk far to see ghost signs (turn of the century painted on advertisements) on buildings or a restored CPR hotel in downtown Virden. On Nelson Street, and across from the Old CPR Station, you will see the Alexandra Hotel. Build in 1907 and renovated as recently at 2016, it boasts the original round-arched windows and brick work which was a signature of Canadian Pacific Hotels. The gorgeous fieldstone railway station itself is home to the Virden Chamber of Commerce and Arts Council. In the parking lot you’ll see a retired rail car but also a very modern electric car charging station. While in Virden, you may wish to stop and snap a few photos in the community gardens and parks. Virden takes a lot of pride in their public spaces. There’s a picnic park downtown on Nelson Street, a sitting garden on King Street (just off the Trans Canada Highway) and a community recreation park (Victoria Park) with tennis courts, lawn bowling, swings and a band shell. Do stop by and see the war memorial in the centre of Victoria Park. As for hidden gem in Virden, find T’s Dining & Lounge for upscale dining. It’s on Nelson Street a block away from the Derrick Theatre. Incidentally, the Derrick Theatre, which has hosted movie goers since the 1950s, is for sale. Listed by Sutton Realty its asking price is $399,999. It would be fantastic to see this town’s movie legacy continue whether it’s hosting new movie shoots or reviving the one-screen theatre. Virden is worth a drive. To fully enjoy this fun drive and a movie experience, watch A Dog’s Purpose first, then travel to Virden. For a movie double-header also catch the sequel, A Dog’s Journey (filmed in Winnipeg and released in the big screen in 2019). The sequel was equally successful at the box office bringing in more than 75 million dollars world-wide. These movies have been a beacon for attracting new movie making projects to Manitoba. Even in Covid times, Hallmark has chose to film their latest Christmas here in this province. Seems we have more star power here than just the northern lights. For more tourist information or to plan your visit go to Virden.ca

Established in 2018, King Korn Maze is a family-owned, 13-acre corn maze in Notre Dame de Lourdes, MB. In addition to offering a number (4) of corn mazes, they added a new sunflower path in 2020 as well. Other attractions on the property for the kiddos include a bale pyramid, human hamster ball, mini-golf, and a tire playground. The corn maze opens annually every August and typically runs into October, weather permitting. Cost is only $5 per person, 3 & under free. September & October hours: Open Friday evenings, Saturday & Sunday. Friday evenings:  6:00pm-8:00pm Saturday & Sunday:  11:00am-8:00pm **SEPTEMBER HOURS ONLY BEGIN ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6th. Location: 1 mile south of Notre Dame de Lourdes on Hwy 244 & 1/4 mile west of GDT Transport on Rd 35N For additional information, please visit their Facebook page or their website. On your visit to the maze, if you're looking for an outstanding burger/meal then stop by Big Al's Burgers in Notre Dame de Lourdes. The burgers are both tasty and huge.

There has been such a great response from our last two mini-Manitoba road trip articles, we’ve decided to keep going. For this trip, pack the car with a few snacks and head south on the #10 highway out of Brandon. The highway is in excellent driving condition and before you know it you’ll be crossing the Souris River and enjoying the view of the valley. First stop is Boissevain. It’s located right on the highway.  Once you slow down for the school zone you’ll see signs directing you to turn left to start the Art Drive. There are numerous murals around town and they are bright and beautiful. You can’t miss them. Clearly a progressive town, Snap Chat picked up a filter for Choy’s Restaurant right away. Just down the street from Choy’s and across from the Community Theatre is a beautiful little park aptly named “Arts Park.” Definitely walk through and enjoy the eclectic displays! It’s a gem. If you’re ready for a coffee, do stop in at Sawmill Tea and Coffee company. Ask about their daily flavour of cheesecake, or pick up a bowl of their homemade soup. Once you’re back on #10 and heading south, you’ll come to a junction where you can choose to head east to Killarney or west for Deloraine. I picked west for Deloraine! Farm families are hard at work here in the harvest season. The golden fields of the area are as pretty as a picture.  The town of Deloraine isn’t far and the drive will go quickly but, I’m going to suggest a 3km detour off the highway at Turtlehead Creek Dam before you even get there. (It’s clearly marked by highway signs.) As you head towards the dam and the golf course you’ll see an intriguing sign that says “bank vault.”  This signals a gravel detour to an old field stone bank vault. One of only 2 left in western Canada, it’s an intriguing piece of history.  You see, Deloraine wasn’t always where it is today. In fact, it was first established in 1882 about 10km east of town. But in 1886 the Canadian Pacific Railway settled their line north and west, so nearly all the buildings were transferred over to the new site. Unfortunately the bank vault could not be moved, so it was left behind on what is now private property. One you get to Deloraine you can stretch your legs and walk about in the Flags of the World Park. It’s also next to their tourist booth. Over on Broadway Street I spied the post office building. It reminded me of the clock tower building in the movie Back to the Future. Actually, with all the great heritage buildings and wide open green spaces, Deloraine would be a great place to make a feature film. If you do plan to take a Manitoba road trip soon, take your mask and your hand sanitizer with you. Spread only kindness.

Let’s just go for a drive.  The weather’s nice, the fields are turning colours and we’re supposed to stay away from groups. Let’s just go for a drive. I’ll offer two options, for this article. Both are within an hour away. If you choose left (south) you’ll visit Souris. If you choose right (north) you’ll head to Hamiota. Souris is about 30 minutes from Brandon, and Hamiota is an hour. To start this adventure head west on the Trans Canada Highway #1. It won’t be long before you reach the turn at highway #250. This road will lead you right into the town of Souris. If you take a pass on Souris, and go 10 minutes further, you’ll see highway #21 to the north. It will take you on a few twists and turns, and through rolling hills, but soon enough, you’ll reach the beautiful town of Hamiota. In Souris you’ll find many outdoor attractions (Victoria Park, The Plum, the Rock Shop agate pit) but the must-see attraction is Canada’s longest swinging bridge (pictured above). This suspension bridge was originally built in 1904 and was rebuilt after the flood of 2011. It takes less than 10 minutes to walk across the bridge and is especially beautiful at sunset. While in Souris, expect to see wild peacocks roaming the town. If you are lucky enough to see them strutting around with their feathers on display, have your camera ready. Just be careful to keep your distance, and keep a watchful eye on traffic. If you hear the peacock whoop, and you are a fan of the Disney movie UP you’ll instantly think of Kevin. The peacock whoop, or screeching call sounds just like the bird from the movie. Your kids will love it! To see an online visitor’s guide and learn more about the attractions and businesses in Souris visit www.sourismanitoba.com. The town of Hamiota has a gorgeous mural that will catch your eye the minute you turn onto Maple Street. The heritage building and former bank, is officially known as the Heritage Arts Centre. Further along Maple Street you’ll see a small but beautiful public garden. A second bigger park, Millennium Park is along highway #21. If you want to do more than just stretch your legs, bring your golf clubs and play 9 holes at the Hamiota Golf Course. You’ll be pleased to see all this beautiful town has to offer. While I’ve yet to visit during bakery hours, I’m told that Country Crocus Bakeshop has THE best donuts in the region. I’m willing to go for a few more road trips and do some taste testing to prove this theory. More details and event information can be found at www.hamiota.com or on their Instagram page @hamiota_municipality If you do plan to take a drive, don’t forget to take your mask and your hand sanitizer. Spread only kindness.